Understanding Why Problem Behaviors Happen
Your kid throws a tantrum every single morning before school. Or maybe they hit their sibling when frustrated. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. And here’s the thing — these behaviors aren’t random. They’re actually communication.
Kids act out for reasons. They might want attention, escape from a task they hate, or get something they really want. When families explore Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy in Shoreview MN, they discover that understanding the “why” behind behaviors is the first step to changing them.
Most parents try everything. Time-outs. Taking away privileges. Raising their voice. But without knowing what’s driving the behavior, these strategies often backfire. That’s where a different approach comes in.
What Is a Functional Behavior Assessment?
Before any real change happens, therapists need to play detective. A functional behavior assessment (FBA) is basically an investigation into your child’s challenging behaviors.
Here’s what happens during an FBA:
- Therapists observe your child in different settings
- They track when behaviors happen and what triggers them
- Parents fill out questionnaires about patterns at home
- The team identifies the function — what your child gets from the behavior
According to research on applied behavior analysis, understanding the function of behavior is fundamental to creating effective interventions. Without this step, you’re just guessing.
So if your daughter screams when you tell her to do homework, the FBA might reveal she’s trying to escape a difficult task. Now you’ve got something to work with.
How Positive Reinforcement Actually Works
Forget what you’ve heard about rewards being bribery. Positive reinforcement is way more strategic than handing out candy.
The basic idea? When a child does something good, they get something they like. Over time, they do the good thing more often. Simple, right? But the execution takes skill.
Timing Matters A Lot
The reinforcement has to happen immediately. Like, within seconds. If your son uses his words instead of hitting, he needs that praise right then. Not five minutes later when you finish your phone call.
Finding What Motivates Your Kid
Not every child cares about stickers. Some kids want extra screen time. Others want to play with a specific toy. A few just want high-fives and verbal praise. ABA Therapy Services in Shoreview MN focus heavily on finding what actually motivates each individual child.
Therapists run preference assessments to figure this out. They test different items and activities to see what your child will work for. Pretty smart, actually.
Real Strategies That Replace Problem Behaviors
Here’s where it gets practical. You can’t just stop a behavior without giving your child something else to do instead.
Teaching Replacement Behaviors
If your child screams to get your attention, you teach them to tap your shoulder instead. If they throw toys when frustrated, you teach them to say “I need a break” or use a picture card.
The replacement behavior has to work at least as well as the problem behavior. Otherwise, why would your kid switch?
Breaking Tasks Into Smaller Steps
Many problem behaviors happen because something feels too hard. A child might melt down when asked to clean their room because the task seems overwhelming.
Therapists break it down. First, pick up the blocks. Done? Great, here’s some praise. Now put the books on the shelf. Suddenly, a huge task becomes manageable chunks.
Antecedent Modifications
Sometimes you can prevent the behavior before it starts by changing what happens beforehand. Kids Connect recommends strategies like giving warnings before transitions, offering choices, or adjusting demands based on how the child is doing that day.
For example, if your child always has meltdowns when you turn off the TV abruptly, try giving a five-minute warning. Then a two-minute warning. It’s honestly a game-changer for many families.
What Kind of Timeline Should You Expect?
Parents always ask this. When will we see results? It’s a fair question.
Honestly? It depends. Some behaviors decrease within weeks. Others take months of consistent work. Factors include:
- How long the behavior has been happening
- How severe it is
- How consistently everyone follows the plan
- Whether the replacement behavior is actually easier for your child
Most families see noticeable improvement within the first few months when everyone’s on the same page. But you’ve got to be realistic. Behaviors that took years to develop won’t disappear overnight.
ABA Therapy Services in Shoreview MN typically involve regular progress meetings where you’ll see data on how your child is doing. Actual numbers. Not just someone saying “things seem better.”
Why Parent Training Makes Everything Work Better
Your child spends maybe 10-20 hours per week in therapy. They spend way more time with you. That’s why parent training isn’t optional — it’s the secret sauce.
During parent training sessions, you learn:
- How to respond when problem behaviors happen at home
- Ways to reinforce good behaviors throughout the day
- What to do when your child tests boundaries
- How to collect simple data so the team knows what’s working
When parents and therapists use the same strategies, kids learn faster. They can’t play the “well mom lets me do it” card because everyone’s consistent.
It’s not about being a perfect parent. Nobody is. But having a plan you actually follow? That matters more than you’d think.
When Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy in Shoreview MN Might Be Right for Your Family
Not every child needs intensive therapy. But if challenging behaviors are affecting school, family life, or your child’s safety, it’s worth looking into.
Signs that professional help could be beneficial:
- Behaviors are getting worse, not better, over time
- Your child is hurting themselves or others
- Traditional discipline strategies haven’t worked
- Daily routines feel impossible to maintain
- Teachers are reporting significant concerns
For additional information on supporting children with developmental needs, families have many resources available to explore their options.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does ABA therapy take to reduce problem behaviors?
Most families notice some improvement within 2-3 months of consistent therapy. However, significant behavior change typically takes 6-12 months depending on the severity and how long the behaviors have existed. Consistency at home speeds things up considerably.
Will my child become dependent on rewards?
Nope. A good ABA program gradually fades out tangible rewards over time. The goal is moving toward natural reinforcement — things like social praise, the satisfaction of completing a task, or natural consequences. Kids don’t stay dependent on stickers forever.
Can ABA therapy help with aggressive behaviors?
Absolutely. Aggression is one of the most common reasons families seek ABA services. Therapists identify what triggers the aggression, teach safer ways to communicate needs, and help parents respond effectively. Most aggressive behaviors respond well to intervention.
Do both parents need to be involved in parent training?
It’s really helpful when all caregivers participate. The more consistent the approach across people, the faster kids learn. If one parent can’t attend sessions, the other can share strategies and materials so everyone stays on the same page.
What if the problem behaviors get worse at first?
This actually happens sometimes and has a name — extinction burst. When you stop giving in to a behavior, kids might try harder before they give up. A good therapist prepares you for this and helps you push through. It usually passes within a couple weeks.
